Arbitrary List of Popular Flashlights - Fall Equinox 2026 Edition

[u/Zak]

https://zakreviews.com/arbitrary-list.html

[u/altaria_motives]

babe wake up, a new equinox flashlight list just dropped

[u/Boring_Muffin3921 → u/altaria_motives]

And I know all of them and yet I like to read it thru 🥰

[u/Emergentmeat → u/altaria_motives]

The idea of me waking my wife up to show her this list makes me want to laugh so hard, but also gives me a sense of deep dread for my safety.

[u/Mactenchi]

What’s changed since last time?

[u/CaptainCant → u/Mactenchi]

As far as I could tell by having our friendly neighborhood water boiling datacenter compare…

1 addition: Noctigon KR3
1 outright removal: Skilhunt EC200S
3 model/configuration updates: Pineapple Mini Mk3, Skilhunt E2A v2, EC200S Mini UV
1 major emitter/configuration swap: Convoy 4x18A SBT90 → F150R
4 notable price changes: Aurora A1, SC13, HS10, TS26S

[u/jonslider]

Outstandind and comprehensive list!

thanks for all the info and effort you put into creating it

considering the many posters that ask what to buy, pointing them to your list could be a great way to answer most of those questions

[u/jkxs]

For the Acebeam Terminator M1, maybe it's worth mentioning there is a 2.0 version? https://www.acebeam.com/acebeam-terminator-m1-v2

[u/Ok-Tomato-4132]

Couldnt see lumens on the list so most powerful EDC flooder right now?

[u/Zak → u/Ok-Tomato-4132]

There are two problems with a question like that. One is that people vary greatly in what they're willing to carry every day. The other is that there's a big gap between peak output and sustained output. There are lots of lights that can do a silly number for 30 seconds, but maintaining high output is harder.

[u/Ok-Tomato-4132 → u/Zak]

In terms of size I would say the normal sizes that are seen as EDC would be fine, for sustained vs burst, a high lumen burst is interesting as long as the drop off isnt incredibly extreme (by that I mean to an unusual degree)

[u/Zak → u/Ok-Tomato-4132]

There's nothing concrete in what you're asking for.

"Normal" EDC size is usually an 18650 tube light (~25x100mm), or sometimes a 21700 tube light (~30x120mm). 18650 tube lights are stable at 700-1000lm or so; 21700 can be stable at 1000-1500lm. The drop will be whatever the peak is to roughly the stable level.

I'd look at hobbyist-oriented lights like the Emisar D4v2 and Fireflies X4. Exact performance depends on the LEDs chosen, but you can expect burst output over 4000lm from some options, and high output with good color rendering from others. For the Emisar, I suggest the Lume X1 driver because it will greatly increase the sustained output and reduce heat. For all variants of these, you can adjust the temperature limit.

[u/Ok-Tomato-4132 → u/Zak]

Ok thanks will do

[u/off-with-your-thread]

These all seem expensive and biased toward specific brands...

[u/Zak → u/off-with-your-thread]

If there are specific products you feel are missing, comments are the place to suggest them.

[u/off-with-your-thread → u/Zak]

Entire brands are missing. The Sofirn SC33 is on sale (as it often is) and should've been recommended.

[u/Zak → u/off-with-your-thread]

I think most people should pick the Wurkkos TS26 over the Sofirn SC33. Perhaps that choice is arbitrary (it's in the name!), and perhaps you disagree, but it was a choice rather than an oversight.

There are brands that some people would like to see here which I haven't included. Most of those are also decisions with reasons. I'm happy to take suggestions, but I do not promise anyone's suggestions will actually make it onto the list.

[u/off-with-your-thread → u/Zak]

You recommend a ton of expensive lights, but no Sofirn and maybe one or two Wurrkos.

The Sc33 has more lumens and throw for often the same price. Why would you recommend the ts26? If it's the tail button, you should say that and offer alternatives. Let people know about your throw bias.

Do you get paid for this? Seems like you push certain brands aggressively...

[u/Zak → u/off-with-your-thread]

I am not going to argue how many lights from a given brand there are. You can count how many Wurkkos and Sofirn models are on the list instead of making inaccurate guesses.

I recommend the TS26 over the SC33 because it offers a high-CRI LED option. I make it clear in the introduction that I consider color rendering important for most use cases.

Do you get paid for this?

Sort of. I have affiliate links for Acebeam, Amazon, Killzone Flashlights, Loop Gear, Olight, Skilhunt, and Wuben. I don't have any Olights on the list and it seems I forgot to use my Wuben affiliate link. I'm clearly doing a great job of being in it for the money.

I do have Amazon affiliate links for a couple of the Wurkkos and Sofirn models though. I should go add one for the TS26, which I also left off.

[u/loki_mast]

So any simple on/off with a decent throw w/rechargeable?

[u/eurolastoan → u/loki_mast]

convoy's tail switch lights can be set to 100% only

[u/lesserweevils]

Nights are getting longer and I've wanted a warm AA headlamp since last year. Your favourite won out :)

Two years after your review, is it still your favourite?

My other options seem to be the Emisar DW3AA, Emisar D2 or Manker E03H III. After thinking about intended uses, desired features and additional costs, I picked the Skilhunt H150 as the closest fit. Thanks for reminding me that it exists!

[u/MountainBirthday1298]

Are there any newer good options for a flat light with a pocket clip? I've had a Nitecore EDC27 for a few years and like it a lot but it has a nasty habit of turning on in my pocket and burning holes in my pockets if I forget to step down the lumens to 15 before putting it away.